For Mrs. Saxby, the resume is all-important, because it

M: As you may know, Odeon Cinemas is a British chain of cinemas, one of the largest in Europe. Now Odeon in Colchester is hiring people. So you may wonder what kind of people they are looking for or how can you get a job at the Odeon. Today we are very pleased to have Margaret Saxby, assistant manager of Odeon in Colchester here. Good morning, Mrs. Saxby, welcome to our studio.
W: Thanks.
M: As far as I know, you have been with the Odeon for 11 years. And you have worked your way up from cashier to your current position of assistant manager.
W: That’s right.
M: Oh, I have to say, that’s amazing. OK, let’s come to the topic. How can people get a job at the Odeon?
W: Basically there is a waiting list, so to be considered for an interview, they should send a resume to the Cinema Manager, or sometimes via their friends already working at the cinema.
M: As for the resume, what do you think should be included in it?
W: First of all, all the relevant personal data should be given.
M: Mm...
W: Then people should clearly state the hours and days available, because we employ part-timers as well as full-timers.
M: Oh, I see.
W: And then they should give additional information about education/interests and any previous work experience. Besides, they should include a brief letter of application explaining why they want to work at the Odeon.
M: OK. Any other things that matter about the resume?
W: Yes, the resume must be typed or word-processed.
M: Well, I can see the point of doing this. [1] So we may say the resume plays an important role in landing a job at the Odeon.
W: [1] Definitely yes. It shows that the person has taken care over the application and therefore will be the sort of person who will take the same amount of care over their appearance, the job they do and the impression they create.
M: Now, Mrs. Saxby, what do you look for at an interview?
W: [2] The main things that I look for are enthusiasm, sparkle, neat and tidy dress, and willingness to talk about things and to ask questions.
M: Oh, really. Then I guess there are things you dislike at an interview?
W: Exactly, yes. Let me list just the major ones: making no eye contact, giving negative answers or single syllable replies and looking scruffy.
M: So if one gets the job, what will be involved? Can you elaborate on that?
W: OK. [3] New employees start with a basic 8-week training program which is aimed at multi-skilling. This means they will be expected to fill in a number of different roles, such as working on the kiosks and in the shop, looking after customers on the "floor", i.e. taking tickets, showing people to their seats, cleaning the screens after a show and working at the box office. They get a review halfway through this training program.
M: Oh, I see. Then what about the working hours? Are they flexible?
W: Basically employees have a set number of hours to do each month, 4 to 5 hour shifts during the week, then all day Saturday or Sunday.
M: OK. And what is the pay like?
W: ￡ 3.94 an hour, right from day one and this is reviewed each January.
M: So what qualities do you look for?
W: [4] Well in particular I look for employees who are polite to and interested in customers, always smiling when dealing with people, team workers with the ability to get on with everyone, positive in their attitude towards the Odeon and looking after its good name.
M: [4] Am I right in saying that one has to be customer-centered and loyal to the Odeon if he wants to work at the Odeon?
W: [4] Yes, you may say so.
M: Then what is likely to go wrong when working at the Odeon?
W: Well, [5] one of the problems is dishonesty, but this is very rare.
M: Mm...
W: [5] And then rudeness to customers. This is something we can’t allow but we are very lucky, as most of our staff are well trained and are very good with people.
M: Right. Any other problems?
W: [5] Absence and lateness. I feel that sometimes, young people don’t take work seriously enough. Employees need to be responsible in terms of missing shifts, phoning in when sick and turning up on time, because otherwise it lets the whole team down and someone else has to fill in.
M: So how do you deal with these issues?
W: I will always try to deal with these issues by "having a quiet word", but if that doesn’t work there is a disciplinary procedure that can be used, although I rarely have to. This is usually a series of warnings which give employees time to put things right.
M: OK, Mrs. Saxby. Thank you very much for coming on the show and talking to us.
W: My pleasure.